They’re Shows, Not Saviors

Michael ArceneauxJanuary 10, 2012

Like anyone with working eyes, I have an appreciation for Michael Ealy. Oh and I think he can act, too. You know, if you’re into that sort of thing. Be that as it may, I have to disagree with the comments he made about reality television during his interview with “The Breakfast Club.” Seemingly not a fan of glorious programs like Love & Hip Hop, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, and Mob Wives, the “Murrlyn” born actor took issue with the content found in multiple reality shows.

Light Eye Surprise said: “I think it’s disturbing and I don’t think it’s contributing to the betterment of society in any way. People like to see train wrecks and it speaks volumes about society as a whole but I’m worried abut the children coming up thinking the way to resolve a problem is to grab somebody’s head and start fighting.”

Yes, think of the children. Those poor, poor children exposed to such vile things like neck rolls, sass, profanity and slap fights via the idiot box. Heavens to murgatroyd.

Look, Smooth Voice Supreme has a legitimate point about people liking train wrecks. I’m sure several of you vehicle-operating individuals have hurled expletives at drivers who slow down traffic in order to see whose windshield has been destroyed worse than Keri Hilson’s mentions on any given day. Still, the same can be said about action movies, mob films, and varying forms of literature. That’s the whole point of escapism and while some people’s way to might be less “positive” than others, it’s not at all that different in the end.

As for the babies, no disrespect to you, Handsome Man’s Hero, but people need to raise their kids. It’s a cliché though no bigger one than blaming a television show for the fall of humanity. I’m quite aware of the effects what we see, read, and twirk down to have on the masses. That’s why I find the star of any Tyler Perry production offering this kind of commentary especially comical. Charlamagne used a horrible example to make this point, but it is still a valid one at its core.

The majority of the themes espoused in Tyler Perry’s plays, films, and television shows can be best surmised with: Stop being a stuck up bitch, you ungodly educated heifer, get right with the Lord and marry that light skinned bus driver, part-time postal worker. To be fair, For Colored Girls was somewhat different given Tyler was appropriating someone else’s material. He still managed to find a way to bastardize it, though. Say, stripping the joy out of the original choreopoem, depicting AIDS in the most trivial way imaginable (abortion, too), and whatever Whoopi Goldberg’s character was doing.

I find that more damaging than a reality show. At this point most of the audience of a given reality series knows what they’re getting, and thus, don’t take the content all that seriously when watching. Meanwhile, Mr. Madea presents his material under the false pretense that he’s giving his flock important life lessons.

Now which do you find more concerning?

Lastly, with all due respect, Pretty Boy Rock, regardless of what you feel about reality shows let me remind you of one teensy weensy detail: A television show is designed to entertain, not save the world. And that’s perfectly okay. By Friendly Face’s logic, we should send Pat Sajack to his home planet because Wheel of Fortune isn’t bettering society.

Some people get a kick going on these sanctimonious rants about reality shows. I will not be made to feel guilty about enjoying watching Yandy get at Chrissy or Baloo get called out on her bullshit by World of Wigs. No, sir. Even though we disagree on this, I still think you’re pretty great, Tempting Thespian. Skype me.